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Dirty Dozen Wilderness Challenge set

The Wilderness Society’s Southern Appalachian Office and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine will present the Dirty Dozen Wilderness Hike Challenge in celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Wilderness Act.(Photo: Justine Homiak/Special to the Citizen-Times)

More than 400 hikers representing 21 states have signed up, and registration remains open for the challenge that officially began in September 2014 and runs through September 2015.

To complete the challenge, participants must hike more than 10 miles in each of 12 designated wilderness areas in the Southeast by September. Wilderness areas in Western North Carolina include Linville Gorge, Shining Rock, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, Ellicott Rock, Middle Prong and the Southern Nantahala.

Hikers then submit information about each hike they complete with a photo. Those who complete the challenge will receive an embroidered Dirty Dozen patch, will be eligible to win prizes, and will be honored at a celebratory gathering in the fall.